2025 Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2025 United States gubernatorial elections.

2025 Virginia gubernatorial election

←  2021 November 4, 2025 2029 →

Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor Glenn Youngkin Republican

The 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election will be held on November 4, 2025, to elect the governor of Virginia. Incumbent Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin will be ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits the state's governors from serving consecutive terms. Primary elections will take place on June 17, 2025. ^[1] Filing deadline for the primary is April 3, 2025. Candidates must collect 10,000 valid signatures commonwealth wide. And 400 from each congressional district. ^{[2] [3]}

Former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, are considered the front-runners for their respective party nominations. Either of them would be Virginia's first female governor, ^[4] while Earle-Sears would also be the first Black female governor in U.S. history. ^[5]

This is the only Republican-held governorship up for election in 2025. Democrat Kamala Harris won the state in the 2024 presidential election by 5.8%. ^[6]

This election may be an indicator of the popularity of Trump's second presidency. With the exception of 2013, Virginia has always elected a governor of the opposite party of the sitting president of the United States since 1973.

Background

Virginia is considered to be a moderately blue state at the federal level, with Kamala Harris carrying Virginia by about six percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, and the last time a Republican won a federal statewide race was in the 2004 presidential election. Democrats control both U.S. Senate seats, a majority in its U.S. representative congressional delegation, and the minimum majority in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly. However, statewide offices tend to be more competitive as Republicans flipped all three statewide constitutional offices in the 2021 elections, all of which are up for election in 2025. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Donald Trump's efforts to shrink the federal workforce is considered to be a potential issue in the election, given that many federal workers live in northern Virginia. ^[10]

Republican primary

Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears was initially viewed as the presumptive Republican nominee for governor. ^[11] However, after poor initial polling and growing dissatisfaction with the lieutenant governor in factions of the party, Earle-Sears drew two challengers in former senator Amanda Chase and former delegate Dave LaRock. ^[12] Chase and LaRock are positioning themselves as more loyal to President Donald Trump. ^[13]

Candidates

Declared

• Amanda Chase, former state senator for SD-11 (2016–2024), candidate for governor in 2021, and candidate for SD-10 2025 special election ^[14]
• Dave LaRock, former state delegate for HD-33 (2014–2024) and candidate for SD-1 in 2023 ^[15]
• Merle Rutledge, investigative reporter and perennial candidate ^[16]
• Winsome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (2022–present) ^[5]

Declined

• Jason Miyares, Virginia Attorney General (2022–present) (running for re-election) ^[17]
• Rob Wittman, U.S. representative from Virginia's 1st congressional district (2007–present) (running for re-election) ^[18]

Endorsements

Winsome Earle-Sears

Statewide officials

• Glenn Youngkin, incumbent governor (2022–present) ^[19]

Organizations

• Maggie's List ^[20]

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Jason Miyares	Winsome Earle-Sears	Undecided
Cygnal (R) [21]	October 27–29, 2024	?	± 4.0%	12%	48%	40%
Cygnal (R) [22]	March 13–14, 2024	510 (LV)	± 4.3%	16%	44%	41%
Differentiators Data [23]	February 21–24, 2023	500 (LV)	± 4.5%	17%	48%	35%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Abigail Spanberger, former U.S. representative from Virginia's 7th congressional district (2019–2025) ^[24]

Publicly expressed interest

• Bobby Scott, U.S. representative from Virginia's 3rd congressional district (1993–present) ^[25]

Withdrawn

• Levar Stoney, former mayor of Richmond (2017–2025) and former Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014–2016) (running for lieutenant governor) ^[26]

Endorsements

Abigail Spanberger

U.S. senators

• Tim Kaine, Virginia (2013–present) ^[25]

U.S. representatives

• Don Beyer, VA-8 (2015–present) ^[27]
• Rick Boucher, VA-9 (1983–2011) ^[28]
• Gerry Connolly, VA-11 (2009–present) ^[27]
• Lois Frankel, FL-22 (2013–present) ^[29]
• Elaine Luria, VA-2 (2019–2023) ^[28]
• Tom Perriello, VA-5 (2009–2011) ^[30]
• Suhas Subramanyam, VA-10 (2025–present) ^[31]
• Eugene Vindman, VA-7 (2025–present) ^[32]
• Jennifer Wexton, VA-10 (2019–2025) ^[33]

Statewide officials

• Ralph Northam, former governor of Virginia (2018–2022) ^[33]
• Mary Sue Terry, former Virginia Attorney General (1986–1993) ^[28]
• Anthony Troy, former Virginia Attorney General (1977–1978) ^[28]

State cabinet officials

• Viola Baskerville, former Virginia Secretary of Administration (2006–2010) ^[34]
• Brian Moran, former Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security (2014–2022) ^[28]

State legislators

• Monty Mason, former state senator from the 1st district (2016–2024) ^[34]
• Russet Perry, state senator from the 31st district (2024–present) ^[34]
• Don Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates (2024–present) from the 88th district (2020–present) ^[34]
• 5 other state delegates ^[34]

Local officials

• Juli Briskman, Loudoun County supervisor (2020–present) ^[34]
• Jeff McKay, at-large Fairfax County supervisor (2020–present) ^[34]

Organizations

• Brady PAC ^[35]
• End Citizens United ^[36]
• EMILYs List ^[37]
• Giffords ^[38]
• Virginia League of Conservation Voters ^[39]
• Vote Mama ^[40]
• VoteVets ^[41]

Bobby Scott (not declared)

State legislators

• Louise Lucas, president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate (2020–present) from the 18th district (1992–present) ^[42] (previously endorsed Stoney)

Levar Stoney (withdrawn)

State officials

• Terry McAuliffe, former governor of Virginia (2014–2018), former chair of the Democratic National Committee (2001–2005) and nominee for governor in 2021 ^[43]
• Molly Joseph Ward, former Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources (2014–2018) ^[44]

State legislators

• Lamont Bagby, state senator from the 9th district (2023–present) ^[44]
• Creigh Deeds, state senator from the 25th district (2001–present), nominee for governor in 2009 and nominee for attorney general in 2005 ^[44]
• Michael Jones, state delegate from the 77th district (2024–present) ^[44]
• Mamie Locke, state senator from the 2nd district (2004–present) ^[44]
• Louise Lucas, president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate (2020–present) from the 18th district (1992–present) ^[45]

Local officials

• Sherman Lea, mayor of Roanoke (2016–present) ^[44]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Abigail Spanberger	Levar Stoney	Undecided
	April 22, 2024	Stoney withdraws from the race
Public Policy Polling (D) [46] [A]	March 25–26, 2024	734 (LV)	—	44%	11%	45%
Christopher Newport University [47]	January 11–16, 2024	1000 (RV)	± 3.7%	52%	8%	40%

Independents

Formed exploratory committee

• Denver Riggleman, former Republican U.S. Representative for Virginia's 5th congressional district (2019–2021) ^[48]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [49]	Tossup	December 6, 2024
Inside Elections [50]	Tilt D (flip)	February 6, 2025

Polling

Winsome Earle-Sears vs. Abigail Spanberger

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Winsome Earle-Sears (R)	Abigail Spanberger (D)	Other	Undecided
Roanoke College [51]	February 17–20, 2025	690 (RV)	± 4.7%	24%	39%	4% [b]	33%
co/efficient (R) [52] [B]	January 18–20, 2025	867 (LV)	± 3.3%	40%	40%	5% [c]	15%
Virginia Commonwealth University [53]	December 18, 2024 – January 15, 2025	806 (A)	± 4.7%	34%	44%	5% [d]	17%
Christopher Newport University [54]	January 6–13, 2025	806 (RV)	± 3.6%	39%	44%	6% [e]	12%
Emerson College [55] [C]	January 6–8, 2025	1,000 (RV)	± 3.0%	41%	42%	4% [b]	13%
Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy [56]	December 15–19, 2024	625 (RV)	± 4.0%	44%	47%	–	9%
Research America Inc. [57] [D]	September 3–9, 2024	1,000 (A)	± 3.1%	39%	39%	10% [f]	12%
co/efficient (R) [58] [E]	September 7–10, 2023	834 (LV)	± 3.4%	26%	27%	–	47%

Hypothetical polling

Winsome Earle-Sears vs. Bobby Scott

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Winsome Earle-Sears (R)	Bobby Scott (D)	Undecided
Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy [56]	December 15–19, 2024	625 (RV)	± 4.0%	46%	44%	10%

Jason Miyares vs. Abigail Spanberger

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Jason Miyares (R)	Abigail Spanberger (D)	Undecided
Research America Inc. [57] [D]	September 3–9, 2024	1,000 (A)	± 3.1%	39%	40%	12%
co/efficient (R) [58] [E]	September 7–10, 2023	834 (LV)	± 3.4%	22%	26%	52%

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. "Someone else" with 4%
3. "Someone else" with 5%
4. "Wouldn't vote" with 4%; "Someone else" with 1%
5. "Someone else" with 2%. "Don't know/Refused" with 4%
6. "None / Would not vote" with 5%; "Other candidate" with 4%; "Refused" with 1%

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by Stoney's campaign
2. Poll sponsored by the Northern Virginia Republican Business Forum
3. Poll sponsored by The Hill
4. Poll sponsored by the University of Mary Washington
5. Poll sponsored by Founders Insight

References

1. "§ 24.2-515. Presidential election year primaries". lis.virginia.gov.
2. "How to Run for a Statewide Office" (PDF). elections.virginia.gov.
3. "§ 24.2-521. Petition required to accompany declaration; number of signatures required. (2024 updated section)". lis.virginia.gov.
4. Vozzella, Laura (December 1, 2024). "Four Centuries In, Virginia Could Be On Track For Its First Woman Governor". The Washington Post .
5. Vozzella, Laura; Schneider, Gregory S. (September 5, 2024). "Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears announces her candidacy for governor". The Washington Post . Retrieved September 5, 2024.
6. "2024 Presidential Elections By State Margin of Victory". Fox News Elections. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
7. "Live election results: 2020 Virginia results". www.politico.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
8. Oliver, Ned (March 3, 2021). "Democrats have controlled Virginia government for two years. Here's what they've done". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
9. "GOP sweeps statewide races with 2 down-ballot wins". AP NEWS. November 2, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
10. Mutnick, Ally (February 12, 2025). "How Trump's assault on bureaucracy could rock Virginia elections". Politico . Retrieved February 12, 2025. The off-year races are often a bellwether for the national mood a year before the midterms.
11. Yancey, Dwayne (November 18, 2024). "Miyares to seek reelection; 2025 governor's race now appears set". CardinalNews.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
12. Schmidt, Markus (February 27, 2025). "Earle-Sears' uncontested run ends as rivals enter Virginia GOP primary for governor". CBS19News.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
13. Englander, Tyler (February 27, 2025). "Is Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears still the GOP favorite after governor's race shakeup?". WAVY.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
14. Jarvis, Brandon (February 26, 2025). "Amanda Chase announces run for governor". Virginia Scope. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
15. Vozzella, Laura; Schneider, Gregory (February 6, 2025). "Hard-right LaRock files for Va. governor, promises 'Virginia DOGE'". The Washington Post . Retrieved February 26, 2025.
16. Lippman, David (March 27, 2024). "No, Virginia did not consider bill to allow new migrants to become police officers". VERIFYThis. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
17. Vozzella, Laura (November 17, 2024). "Virginia AG Jason Miyares says he will run for reelection, not governor". The Washington Post .
18. Andrew Solender [@andrewsolender] (December 4, 2024). "Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman is "not considering a run for Governor in 2025," his campaign tells me. "Congressman Wittman is looking forward to serving his constituents in the 119th Congress and running for re-election to Congress in 2026."" (Tweet). Retrieved December 4, 2024– via Twitter.
19. Diaz, Olivia (November 18, 2024). "Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares will seek reelection, quelling talk of a gubernatorial bid". The Associated Press . Retrieved November 18, 2024.
20. "Maggie's List Proudly Endorses Winsome Earle-Sears for Virginia Governor". Maggie's List . February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
21. Cygnal (R)
22. Cygnal (R)
23. Differentiators Data
24. Rankin, Sarah (November 13, 2023). "Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger is running for governor instead of seeking reelection to the House". The Associated Press . Retrieved November 13, 2023.
25. Bresnahan, John; Soellner, Mica; Zanona, Melanie (December 13, 2024). "Bobby Scott explores Virginia gubernatorial run". Punchbowl News . Retrieved December 13, 2024.
26. Vozzella, Laura (April 22, 2024). "Richmond Mayor Stoney drops Va. governor bid, seeks lt. governor post". The Washington Post . Retrieved April 23, 2024.
27. Graham, Chris (November 15, 2023). "Beyer, Connolly endorse Abigail Spanberger in 2025 Virginia governor race". Augusta Free Press. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
28. "VA-07 Congressman-Elect Eugene Vindman Endorses Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". Blue Virginia. December 12, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
29. "Elect Democratic Women Endorses Rep. Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". Elect Democratic Women. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
30. Martz, Michael (November 23, 2023). "Spanberger broadens support with Perriello endorsement". The Daily Progress . Retrieved November 27, 2023.
31. Nir, David (December 17, 2024). "Morning Digest: Kathy Hochul could face a challenge from her own lieutenant governor". The Downballot. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
32. "Vindman endorses Spanberger for governor". Culpeper Star-Exponent . December 14, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
33. Martz, Michael (November 15, 2023). "Northam endorses Spanberger in run for governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch . Retrieved November 15, 2023.
34. Feld, Lowell (April 8, 2024). "Monday News: "Mike Johnson faces revolt by hard-right Republicans over Ukraine aid package"; "Why is the Press Making Trump Seem More Normal?"; "The Attraction of Fascism" for Trump Supporters; Solar Eclipse and Glenn Youngkin's Budget Amendments". Blue Virginia. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
35. "Brady PAC Endorses Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". Brady PAC. November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
36. "End Citizens United // Let America Vote Endorses Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger for Virginia Governor". End Citizens United. April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
37. "EMILYs List Endorses Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". EMILY's List . December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
38. "GIFFORDS PAC Endorses Abigail Spanberger for Virginia Governor". Giffords. May 22, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
39. https://bluevirginia.us/2025/02/virginia-league-of-conservation-voters-endorsement-of-abigail-spanberger-is-the-earliest-in-a-gubernatorial-general-election-in-the-va-lcvs-26-year-history
40. "Vote Mama PAC | Candidates". Vote Mama PAC. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
41. "VoteVets PAC Endorses Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". VoteVets. November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
42. Vozzella, Laura (December 13, 2024). "Rep. Bobby Scott considers challenging Spanberger in Va. governor primary". The Washington Post . Retrieved December 14, 2024.
43. Montellaro, Zach (December 5, 2023). "McAuliffe backs Richmond Mayor Stoney in 2025 Virginia governor race". Politico . Retrieved December 5, 2023.
44. Feld, Lowell (December 4, 2023). "Video: Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney Launches Campaign for Virginia Governor". Blue Virginia. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
45. Steger, Preston (December 1, 2023). "Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney files paperwork to run for Virginia governor in 2025". WVEC .
46. Public Policy Polling (D)
47. Christopher Newport University
48. "Fmr. Rep. Riggleman's Outlook For Trump's Next Term". Bloomberg News . December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
49. "2025 Governor Race Ratings for December 6, 2024". The Cook Political Report . Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
50. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
51. "Roanoke College Poll: Spanberger leads Earle-Sears in early poll". Roanoke College. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
52. "Virginia Car Tax Statewide Study" (PDF). co/efficient. January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
53. "Commonwealth Poll: Virginians overwhelmingly concerned about cost of living". Virginia Commonwealth University. January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
54. "Spanberger holds a 5-point lead over Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia Governor's Race with 16% undecided". Christopher Newport University. January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
55. "Virginia 2025 Poll: Spanberger (D) 42%, Earle-Sears (R) 41%". Emerson College. January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
56. Schmidt, Markus (January 10, 2025). "Another poll confirms tight Virginia Governor's race between Spanberger and Earle-Sears". Virginia Mercury . Retrieved January 10, 2025.
57. "2024 ANNUAL FALL STATEWIDE VA QUESTIONNAIRE" (PDF). Univsersity of Mary Washington. September 20, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
58. "VA Absentee and Early Voting Opinion Poll" (PDF). Founders Insight. September 11, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Dave LaRock (R) for Governor
• Merle Rutledge (R) for Governor
• Winsome Earle-Sears (R) for Governor
• Abigail Spanberger (D) for Governor